Are mildly elevated liver enzymes bad?

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Are mildly elevated liver enzymes bad?

Elevated liver enzymes might be discovered during routine blood testing. In most cases, liver enzyme levels are only mildly and temporarily elevated. Most of the time, elevated liver enzymes don’t signal a chronic, serious liver problem.

What can cause liver enzymes to be slightly elevated?

More common causes of elevated liver enzymes include:

  • Over-the-counter pain medications, particularly acetaminophen (Tylenol, others)
  • Certain prescription medications, including statin drugs used to control cholesterol.
  • Drinking alcohol.
  • Heart failure.
  • Hepatitis A.
  • Hepatitis B.
  • Hepatitis C.
  • Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

Is slightly elevated ALT normal?

The upper limit of normal for ALT is 55 IU/L. When an ALT level is double to triple the upper limit of normal, it is considered mildly elevated. Severely elevated ALT levels found in liver disease are often 50 times the upper limit of normal.

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What does mildly elevated ALT mean?

Elevations in ALT generally are more specific for liver injury, whereas elevations in AST can also be caused by extrahepatic disorders, such as thyroid disorders, celiac sprue, hemolysis, and muscle disorders.7 Normal ALT levels are defined as 29 to 33 IU per L (0.48 to 0.55 μkat per L) for males and 19 to 25 IU per L …

What is considered mildly elevated ALT?

Typically the range for normal AST is reported between 10 to 40 units per liter and ALT between 7 to 56 units per liter. Mild elevations are generally considered to be 2-3 times higher than the normal range. In some conditions, these enzymes can be severely elevated, in the 1000s range.

What can cause elevated ALT?

Other causes of moderate increases in ALT include obstruction of bile ducts, cirrhosis (usually the result of chronic hepatitis or bile duct obstruction), heart damage, alcohol abuse, and with tumors in the liver. ALT is often performed together with a test for AST or as part of a liver panel.

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What drugs cause elevated ALT?

Drugs that may increase ALT levels include acetaminophen, ampicillin, codeine , dicumarol, indomethacin , methotrexate , oral contraceptives, tetracycline and verapamil. Previous intramuscular injections may cause elevated levels.

What medications cause elevated ALT?

Common causes of abnormal AST and ALT levels are wide ranging (for example, toxins, and autoimmune diseases). Many drugs may cause elevated blood levels of AST, and ALT, and some medications can cause severe damage, for example, acetaminophen ( Tylenol ).

What is the best treatment for elevated liver enzymes?

When elevated liver enzymes are related to anemia, obesity and alcohol, doctors recommend adjusting eating habits. Anemic patients are encouraged to follow diets high in iron or take iron supplements.